More evidence GCSB sharing New Zealanders’ data

New evidence shows that the
Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is almost
certainly sharing metadata with the US spy agency NSA, the
Green Party said today.

Newly released documents from NSA
whistle-blower Edward Snowden detail an NSA search engine,
known as ICREACH, which contains over 850 billion records of
metadata on phone calls, mobile phone locations and emails.
The documents suggest that this data is then shared amongst
Five Eyes partners, including New Zealand.

A document from
2008 also states that the GCSB had agreed that the metadata
it collects may be shared with the US Intelligence
Community. It is not clear whether this metadata is domestic
or foreign.

“John Key needs to rule out New Zealanders’
data is being shared under this arrangement.

“Changes
made to the GCSB’s powers last year mean they can now spy
on New Zealanders and have the ability to access our
communications via our telecommunication providers.

“This new evidence puts the GCSB at the heart of the
mass surveillance network and contradicts what Prime
Minister John Key has been claiming all along - that New
Zealand doesn’t supply information to outside
organisations.

“Prime Minister John Key and the GCSB
have no choice but to start answering questions about what
it means for New Zealand to be a member of the Five Eyes
network.

“Most importantly, the Prime Minister needs to
be clear about whether the metadata that the GCSB agreed to
share was collected on foreigners, or whether it was in fact
New Zealanders’ private information that was being
collected.

“New Zealanders deserve to know the truth
about whether their personal information is being collected
and possibly shared offshore, and for what
purpose.

“Over and over again we’re seeing these types
of documents trickling out into the public sphere, which fly
in the face of claims by the National Government that New
Zealand is not tied up with the global spying
network.

“It’s becoming increasingly implausible for
Key to claim that New Zealand is not participating in the
type of activity that the other Five Eyes partners have been
found to be undertaking, when over and over again we’re
seeing evidence to the contrary.

"We need a wide ranging
independent inquiry into New Zealand's intelligence agencies
to ensure proper oversight. In response to the Snowden
leaks, other countries have taken this step; New Zealand
must follow suit," said Dr
Norman.

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